100 best stargazing astronomy sights
Our pick of the best things to see in the night sky.
NASA confirms it's sending its Dragonfly drone-like spacecraft to Saturn's moon Titan
Saturn's largest moon is an Earth-like world that likely has conditions suitable for supporting life. A new NASA spacecraft will spend almost three years studying its surface.
9 mind-blowing facts about the Universe
The Universe is a mind-boggling place. Here are 9 of the most astounding space discoveries of recent times.
Devil Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks approaches Jupiter over the coming evenings. This is how to see it
Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks could approach naked-eye in March, as it tracks from Andromeda to Pisces.
Have you seen Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) yet? We've been keeping an eye on it...
Could Comet A3 become another Great Comet, or even simply reach naked-eye brightness? We'll find out in autumn 2024...
Can a black hole die?
We can predict the fate of black holes by understanding a process called Hawking Radiation.
Astronomy explained | What is a nebula?
Majestic and mysterious, nebulae are some of the most beautiful deep-sky objects to be found in the night’s sky. But what are these space clouds? And how are they created?
What is the temperature of space?
A guide to cosmic thermodynamics and the extreme temperatures of the Universe.
Go-To telescope mounts for beginners
What Go-To mounts are, how to set them up, pros and cons and how to use them to observe the night sky.
How big is the Universe?
How big is the Universe, and does it have a shape? Or is it merely infinite?
BBC Sky at Night Magazine virtual events
Imaging the Planets Masterclass Series
Our spring 2024 series lifts the lid on photographing the planets, with three of the best planetary imagers in the game.
Save 20% when you buy all three as a series booking
Masterclass: The planets in their prime
Join our Masterclass with Pete Lawrence, expert astro imager and presenter on BBC Four’s The Sky at Night at 7pm on 25 April 2024.
Save 20% when you buy all three as a series booking
Masterclass: Capturing Jupiter on camera
Join our online spring Masterclass with Damian Peach, world-renowned astrophotographer and lecturer at 7pm on 23 May 2024.
Save 20% when you buy all three as a series booking
Masterclass: 10 ways to improve your imaging
Join our online spring Masterclass with award-winning planetary imager Martin Lewis at 7pm on 13 June 2024.
Save 20% when you buy all three as a series booking
New to astronomy?
Our simple guides will help you make the most of your time under the stars
14 things new stargazers should know
New to astronomy? Here are some things you'll notice in the night sky as you spend your first year stargazing.
How to become a better astronomer
You've spent many hours observing the night sky. So how can you improve and be more productive at the telescope eyepiece?
How to stargaze from a city
Light pollution from towns and cities makes viewing the night sky a tricky business. But there are things you can do to help.
How to star-hop the night sky
Stuck trying to find stars? Star-hopping is a tried and tested technique that will help you to navigate the sky.
Astronomy advice
Answers to some of the most commonly-asked cosmic questions
Why did it take so long for astronomers to discover Uranus?
Why was Uranus not known to ancient astronomers?
How many stars can a person see in the night sky?
When we look up at the night sky, how many stars can we see, and what magnitude can the human eye see unaided?
What came before the Big Bang? These are the best theories we have about the origin of the cosmos
We explore the theories about one of the most mind-boggling questions about the Universe.
Why the Moon sometimes looks orange
What causes the Moon to appear a red, rusty colour?
Buyers' guides
Our pick of the best astronomy equipment
Best telescope mounts
On the hunt for a new telescope mount, or picking one to go with your first telescope? Read our guide to the best mounts, both budget models and high-end.
Best binoculars for astronomy
Binoculars are a great way of getting into astronomy and stargazing.
Buyer's guide | Best astro imaging cameras
Which cameras are best for astrophotography and what type should you buy? We'll guide you through the different types and the best cameras on the market.
Best beginners' telescopes
Looking to buy your first telescope but don't know where to start? We've picked out some of the best beginner telescopes on the market.
8 of the best wi-fi and smartphone telescopes
Our pick of the best telescopes operated via a smartphone or tablet.
Best telescopes for kids
Buying a telescope for children can be a tricky task. We've tested some of the best telescopes for kids and young people getting started in astronomy.
Astronomy equipment reviews
The latest telescopes, cameras, binoculars, mounts and accessories tried and tested.
This Askar V apo modular telescope kit enables lens-switching while imaging. We put it to the test.
A refined refractor with swapable lenses that offers remarkable flexibility
The Seestar S50 is among the cheapest smart telescopes available. But is it any good? We put it to the test
ZWO Seestar 50 smart telescope is an enjoyable budget all-in-one. But does it truly deliver on its do-it-all promises?
Bresser ISA Space Exploration NASA 70/700 AZ telescope
Does this affordable, beginners' refractor really cut the mustard?
This Ursa Major 6-inch Dobsonian is touted as a planetary telescope for beginners. We put it to the test.
A decent option for would-be planetary observers on a limited budget
First Light Optics Remote Observatory tried and tested
For a monthly fee, capture your astro images under immaculate dark skies
Review of the William Optics RedCat 61WIFD Petzval apo refractor, a great astrophotography telescope
An impressive astrograph that would make a fine addition to anyone’s imaging setup.
Podcasts
Star Diary | 24 to 30 July, 2023
Keep an eye out for the three innermost planets Mercury, Venus and Mars just after sunset in this week’s stargazing guide.
Star Diary | 17 to 23 July, 2023
Venus's changing phases and Pluto at opposition are the highlights of this week's stargazing guide.
Star Diary | 10 to 16 July, 2023
The Pleiades return to the morning sky, while the Moon pairs up with Jupiter in this week’s stargazing guide.
Astrophotography
Astrophotographer captures Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, Jupiter and Uranus during the April eclipse
The comet and two planets captured while shooting the April 8 eclipse.
Astronaut photographs northern Europe at night from the Space Station, capturing a 'cosmic web' of light pollution
Image captures the light pollution of major cities like London, Paris and Amsterdam.
Gallery | Heart and Soul Nebulae
Images of the Heart and Soul Nebulae and facts about these two star-forming regions in Cassiopeia.
How amateur astrophotographers captured a little-known dying star called the Spin Nebula
Astrophotographers tracked down and photographed a planetary nebula known as the Spin Nebula in the Gum 14/15 nebula complex.
Astrophotographer captures colourful star trails over Pangong Lake, showing Earth's motion in space
The night sky over Pangong Lake, with colourful star trails that show Earth's rotation as it orbits the Sun.
Image processing | How to create an aurora panorama
Take your aurora astrophotography to the next level by creating a beautiful panorama showing off its colourful wisps.
Astrophotography galleries
Eye On The Sky | Chandra X-ray images reveal the beauty of the cosmos
A set of newly-released images show incredible astronomical phenomena in light invisible to the naked eye.
Gallery | Full Moon
Some will tell you a full Moon is the worst time to observe our lunar neighbour, but there's still plenty to see when the Moon is fully illuminated.
Gallery | Bode's Galaxy and Cigar Galaxy
Images of M81 and M82, the pair of interacting galaxies known as Bode's Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy, including facts and the history of their discovery.
Gallery | Sunflower Galaxy
Facts about and images of M63, also known as the Sunflower Galaxy.
Gallery | Solar eclipses
What is a solar eclipse and how do you view one safely? Find out about the celestial mechanics behind these spectacular astronomical events.
Gallery | North America Nebula
Images of the North America Nebula and facts about this continent-shaped cosmic cloud.
Spaceflight
Spaceflight history | Who were the Mercury 7?
A guide to NASA's Mercury Project and the Mercury 7 astronauts who became the first Americans to fly into space and orbit Earth.
To boldly go... How astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space and oldest person to walk on the Moon
The story of Alan Shepard, the first American in space.
How will solar storms affect future Mars astronauts? That's what two NASA spacecraft are hoping to find out
Solar maximum provides an opportunity to study the effects of an active Sun on the surface of Mars.
James Webb Space Telescope | See the latest images
See the latest full colour images to be released by the JWST.
Space History | Animals in space
What animals have been in space, which was the first and why did humans send them to journey among the stars?
Antiseptic, garbage, body odour, BBQ - what astronauts say the International Space Station smells like
Unsurprisingly, it’s tricky to keep a continuously occupied space station smelling sweet.
NASA will launch rockets to study how the eclipse affects radio communications, and you can watch live
NASA is set to launch three rockets to study the eclipse.
Crops on the Moon? NASA astronauts will bring tools to study plant-growing, quakes and hunt for water ice
DIY Astronomy
Don't fog up! How to remove moisture from your astrophotography camera sealed sensor
How to recharge the sealed sensor chamber inside your astro camera.
The best, safest ways to view a solar eclipse, from low-cost, simple options to expert astronomer techniques
What are the best and safest ways to view an eclipse?
Build a solar funnel to safely observe the Sun or solar eclipse through your telescope
This easy-to-make device lets you view the Sun or solar eclipse in safety.